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Friday, 16 October 2015

Scientists have developed special type of contact lens cases
that would help identifying contamination in circle lenses. These cases are
embedded with microbiosensors that remain unaffected by contact lens solution.
These micro sensors change the color from yellow to purple within 8 hours of
abnormal bacterial growth.

According to an online survey; nearly all users of contact
lenses are involved in improper lens handling that is associated with increased
rate of risks infections. As per Nishal Govindgi Bhat, postdoctoral research
associate, at the University of Manchester; the color change effect was easy to
distinguish by the naked eye. He explained to the press that microbiosensors
turned purple from yellow when bacterial count had reached over 1 million in 1
ml of solution.

The microbiosensor uses a
range of tetrazolium dyes that indicate the presence of pathogens such asPseudomonas
aeruginosa,Staphylococcus
aureus,Serratia marcescens,Fusarium
solani andCandida
albicans.

Contact lens cases should
be regularly cleaned and thoroughly disinfected once every week to get rid of
the bio film caused by accumulation of microorganisms. Cases should be replaced
every three months and sterilized once in a month. Solution carrying germs
transfer microorganisms to contact lenses, this is why after every wear cases
should be refilled with fresh supply of the disinfectant. Following hygiene
with contact lenses let them last to their fullest or else otherwise they will
be compromised before they meet the expiry.

“If this cleaning regime
is not followed regularly and correctly, contact lenses can become covered inbacteria and when put into the eye, it can cause severe eye infection and in
rare cases, a loss of vision,” Govindji-Bhatt said in the release.